Dragons & Reds Confirm Player Development Agreement Through 2030, Move Up To "High-A" Level

Dayton, Ohio – The Dayton Dragons and Cincinnati Reds today jointly executed a new Major League Baseball Player Development License agreement, cementing their player development relationship for the next 10 years. Additionally, the Reds and Dragons announced the Dragons coaching staff for the 2021 season.

On December 9, 2020, the Reds formally invited the Dragons to operate as a Minor League franchise within the Cincinnati Reds organization as part of the new alignment constructed by Major League Baseball. The Dragons will now operate as the Reds Class A-Advanced (“High A”) club. The Dayton franchise previously played as the Class A (“Low A”) affiliate in its first 20 years of operations.

“The Dayton Dragons organization is thrilled to continue to partner with the Cincinnati Reds,” noted Dragons team president, Robert Murphy. “We are very proud of what has been a great relationship with Reds ownership and their Baseball Operations staff. More than 100 Dragons players have played in the Major Leagues including Reds generational favorites like Joey Votto, Adam Dunn, Jay Bruce, Todd Frazier, and Johnny Cueto, and many of today’s Reds players like Jesse Winker, Nick Senzel, Amir Garrett, and Tucker Barnhart. The opportunity to move up to the High A level will be an exciting change for our fans.”

“We couldn’t be happier to have the opportunity to continue our relationship with Dayton,” said Reds Vice President, General Manager Nick Krall. “It is well known within the game that the Dragons’ front office provides some of the best experiences in baseball for not only our players, but for visiting players and their Southwest Ohio fan base. For more than 20 years, they have been an important part in the development of Reds Major Leaguers, both on the field and in our communities.”

“We are excited to unveil this new model, which not only provides a pipeline to the Majors, but continues the Minor Leagues’ tradition of entertaining millions of families in hundreds of communities,” said MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred Jr. “In modernizing our Minor League system, we prioritized the qualities that make the Minor Leagues such an integral part of our game while strengthening how we develop professional athletes on and off the field.

We look forward to demonstrating the best of our game throughout local communities, supporting all those who are working hard to grow the sport, and sharing unrivaled technology and resources with minor league teams and players.”

The Dragons are still awaiting the release of the 2021 season schedule, while also working with state and local health officials on the safe re-opening of Day Air Ballpark. Once more is available on re-opening plans, game schedule, and seating assignments for the 2021 season, the Dragons will reach out to all ticket holders and media.